PRESIDENT OBAMA’S
IMMIGRATION
ANNOUNCEMENT
NOVEMBER 21, 2014
EXECUTIVE ACTION AND
IMMIGRATION REFORM
Only Congress can pass laws – Congress has
not passed an immigration bill
On November 20, 2014, President Obama
announced executive action on immigration
The President is directing federal immigration
agencies to prioritize use of resources and:
Defer deportation and permit noncitizens to
remain in U.S for period of time
• Authorize work permits
• Allow travel
KEY PARTS OF THE
ANNOUNCEMENT
Expand Deferred Action to include parents
of U.S. citizens and green card holders
Expand DACA to eliminate age cap, change
date-of-entry, and extend EAD period to 3
years
End Secure Communities
NUMBERS OF PEOPLE
PROTECTED
4.4 million parents of
U.S. citizens and LPRs
290,000 more people
eligible for DACA
BENEFITS & LIMITATIONS
OF DAPA & DACA
Benefits
Limitations
Protection from deportation
for 3 year period
Not a green card or visa
Work authorization
Social security number
Driver’s license in some
states
May request permission to
travel abroad
Not a path to citizenship
Discretionary case-by-case
decision based on DHS
enforcement priorities
DEFERRED ACTION FOR PARENTS
OF US CITIZENS AND PERMANENT
RESIDENTS (DAPA)
Parent of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green
card holder), as of November 20, 2014;
Continuously resided in the U.S. since January 1,
2010;
Physically present in the U.S. on November 20, 2014
and at the time of request;
No lawful status as of November 20, 2014
WHAT IF YOU HAVE A
CRIMINAL RECORD OR
RECENT REMOVAL ORDER?
Certain criminal offenses; terrorist or gang activity;
and/or recent deportation orders may disqualify you
and/or expose you to removal proceedings.
Get legal counseling to find out if your criminal or
immigration record affects your eligibility.
EXPANDED DACA
What does the President’s announcement mean for DACA?
No age cap.
• The President removed the DACA guideline about being born on or after
June 16, 1981. This means you cannot be too old to qualify for DACA as
long as you meet the other guidelines.
How long you must have lived in the U.S. to qualify has
changed.
• Now people who have lived here since January 1, 2010 and meet the
other guidelines will qualify for DACA.
EXPANDED DACA
What does the President’s announcement mean for DACA?
Three-year DACA grants
• Starting November 24, 2014, new first-time and renewal applicants will
receive deferred action and work permits for 3 years instead of 2.
Criminal, national security, and public safety bars
• If you have ever been arrested or convicted of an offense or are not sure
about your juvenile or criminal history, get your criminal records and
consult a legal service provider.
EXPANDED DACA
I have DACA now, what does this mean for me?
• Your DACA grant period and work permit is still valid for
two years.
• The government is exploring ways to extend two-year
renewal work permits to the new three year period.
• Stay tuned.
My renewal application is pending, what does this mean for
me?
• You should receive a three year work permit.
WHAT IF I DON’T QUALIFY FOR
EITHER DEFERRED ACTION?
The government does not have resources to
deport all undocumented people.
Deportation priorities have changed to focus on:
• certain criminal offenders;
• those who threaten national security; and
• recent immigration violators.
Information about these categories will continue
to develop.
WHEN CAN I APPLY?
The application process is NOT open yet
Parents of U.S. citizens
and green cardholder
• Application process to
open within 180 days
(by May 2015)
Expanded DACA
• Application process to
open within 90 days (by
February 2015)
BEWARE OF FRAUD!
There is no way to
apply yet!
Don’t believe
anyone who says
they can sign you
up for a program
now.
Information will
continue to
develop. Consult
trusted resources
to learn more.
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Complete
application form (not yet
available)
- $465 fee (no waivers; very limited fee
exemptions)
- Supporting evidence
- Fingerprinting and background check
WHAT CAN I DO TO
PREPARE?
1. Save money for filing fees (at least $465)
2. Gather evidence to show you qualify
3. Gather any criminal records that you
have
4. Consult with a licensed immigration
lawyer or a BIA accredited
representative
GATHERING EVIDENCE
Proof of identity
• Passport from home country
• ID card from home country
• Birth certificate from home country and
photo ID
• School or military ID with photo
• U.S. immigration document with photo
and name
GATHERING EVIDENCE
Documents showing
relationship with U.S. citizen or
LPR child
•
•
•
•
•
Birth certificate of child
Copy of green card of child
Naturalization certificate of child
Adoption decree of child, if adopted child
Marriage certificate, if stepchild
GATHERING
EVIDENCE
Proof of continuous residence in U.S.
for past 5 years and on November 20,
2014
•
•
•
•
Rent receipts, rental agreements, or utility bills
School records (letters, report cards, etc.)
Military records
Records from a religious organization
confirming participation in a religious
ceremony
• Money order receipts for money sent in or out
of the country
MORE PROOF FOR
PRESENCE IN U.S.
Presence for past 5 years
•
•
•
•
Passport entries
Birth certificates of children born in the U.S.
Dated bank activity
Car license, registration, insurance, DMV
records
• Rental agreement, contracts, receipts,
mortgage
• Tax receipts
• Medical records and insurance
CRIMINAL HISTORY
Get documents related to any contact
with police or law enforcement
State criminal records
FBI report
Court records
RESOURCES
• For more information from the government go to
www.uscis.gov
• DACA Page:
http://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/consideration-deferredaction-childhood-arrivals-daca
• To receive updates from USCIS, subscribe here:
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCIS/subscr
iber/new?topic_id=USDHSCIS_74
• Register with United We Dream at
www.unitedwedream.org/executiveaction/
RESOURCES
Find Legal Help and Resources on How to Prepare to Apply
• How to Get Your Criminal Records
• How to Get a Copy of Your Immigration File
• How to Get a Passport or Identity Document for Mexican
Nationals
http://www.adminrelief.org/legalhelp/
CONTACT INFO
& HOW TO GET INVOLVED
[PRESENTER CONTACT INFO GOES HERE]
[WAYS TO GET INVOLVED]
www.adminrelief.org